Ways You Can Help Me

One of my goals for remaining stable is communicating even better with those who are around me and care about me. I now authorize All of You to call me out if you see any of these behaviors! It may mean I’m tipping toward a pole and need extra treatment: therapy, meds, schedule changes, diet.

I’m not kidding! Totally tell me if you see these in me!

Mania

Speaking too quickly

Pressured speech

Flight of ideas (many ideas at the same time)

Not describing ideas thoroughly

Trying to force a decision before it has been thought through

More than racing thoughts, but getting caught up in the race and obsessing about an idea or situation

Changes in schedule – up too late or sleeping in, or changing a pre-planned schedule

Depression

Speaking about suicide, dangerous or bad thoughts or self-harm

Isolating from local face-to-face friends

Not sharing what is really going on with me (i.e., just saying I’m doing ok or fine)

Skipping appointments with my therapist or psychiatrist

Changes in schedule – up too late or sleeping in, or changing a pre-planned schedule

4 responses to “Ways You Can Help Me”

Very helpful to see what’s on your list…and that you have a list! After a few rounds of “I didn’t want to offend you or violate boundaries,” I finally told a dear friend who I saw almost every day to call out changes in behaviors and attitudes. Turns out she could tell when I was screwing around with my meds or sleep or whatever.

I tell the people in my life today that they have my invitation and permission to flag stuff. The H.A.L.T acronym from 12 Step recovery has been very helpful. I tell people that if I seem angry they should ask me if I’ve eaten. If I seem lonely they should suggest I get some sleep.